Flood events are one of the most urgent ecological and socio-economic problems for countries around the world. Azerbaijan is also among the flood-prone regions. Cooperation with specialists from different countries in the field of flood prevention and mitigation of their consequences is carried out within the framework of the “Flood Association” (Debris Flow Association). This organization, established in 2005 in the city of Pyatigorsk, Russian Federation, celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. Currently, this association, which unites more than 160 experts from 23 countries, is the world's largest association of specialists in floods and their protection.

Azerbaijan is represented in this organization by employees of the Institute of Geography named after Acad. H.A. Aliyev of the MSE- Head of the Department of Geomorphology and Natural Risks, Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor, Stara Tarikhazar and Doctor of Philosophy in Geography, Associate Professor, Leading Researcher of the Department of Climate and Agroclimatology Hasan Nabiyev.

The 8th International Conference on “Flood Flows: Disasters, Risk, Forecast, Protection” was held in Tbilisi, Georgia, on October 6-10. The conference was attended by Director General of the Institute of Geography, doc., PhD in Geography Zaur Imrani,  Leading Researcher of the Department of Landscape Science and Landscape Planning, Head of Department, doc., DSc. Stara Tarikhazar, and doc., DSc. in Geography Sevil Guliyeva.  

The conference was dedicated to the discussion of issues such as global and regional analysis of flood flows, flood disasters of recent years, flood risk and forecasting, modeling, flood hazard of glacial lakes, ice-water-rock flows, flood protection measures, regulatory documents on flood forecasting and flood prevention, and design of flood protection facilities.

At the opening of the conference, Stara Tarikhazar delivered a report on the topic of “Identification of flood-prone zones of the Gudyalchay basin based on remote sensing data and assessment of flood risk”, which she co-authored.

The “Flood Association” traditionally awards scientists with outstanding services in the field of flood science with the S.M. Fleishman medal. Over the 20 years of its activity, the Association has awarded 35 scientists with this award.

At the closing ceremony of the 8th International Conference, the first geographer from Azerbaijan, Stara Tarikhazar, was awarded this prestigious medal for her achievements in the field of flood science and contributions to the development of international cooperation. The award was presented by the President of the “Flood Association”, Doctor of Philosophy in Geography Sergey Semenovich Chernomorets, and Academician of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences Givi Valerianovich Gavardashvili.

This success is further proof of the international recognition of Azerbaijani science and our country's active position in the field of climate and environmental security.